Information processing apparatus, method, and storage medium

Abstract

A novel information processing apparatus maintains file system information in a secondary storage device during power saving mode. The information processing apparatus keeps storing file information and mounting information in the secondary storage device without releasing it in shutdown process 303 when it transitions to power saving mode, and uses the saved file information 401 and mounting information 402 in reinitializing process 304 when it returns from power saving mode. User program 201 does not need to execute file initializing process. Also, since mounting information 402 is kept, the information processing apparatus can access the file system in the secondary storage device immediately if the power of the secondary storage device is on and the secondary storage device is available.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An information processing apparatus connectable to a secondary storage device, comprising:
 a main storage device; 
 an association unit configured to associate a file system in the main storage device with a file system in the secondary storage device in response to start-up of the information processing apparatus or connection of the secondary storage device to the information processing apparatus; 
 a power control unit configured to turn power of the secondary storage device off in transition to a power saving mode; 
 an information keeping unit configured to store the associated file system of the secondary storage device, in the main storage device; and 
 a releasing unit configured to release an allocated storage area of the main storage device that stores the associated file system of the secondary storage device after the information keeping unit stores the associated file system of the secondary storage device. 
 
     
     
       2. The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 an allocation unit configured to allocate the storage area to store the associated file system of the secondary storage device in the main storage device; and 
 an information writing unit configured to write the stored file system of the secondary storage device to the allocated storage area. 
 
     
     
       3. The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , wherein
 the power control unit is configured to turn the power of the secondary storage device off when the information processing apparatus transitions to power saving mode, and 
 the information keeping unit stores the associated file system in response to a notification of turning the power off from the secondary storage device after the secondary storage device shuts down. 
 
     
     
       4. The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a synchronizing unit configured to synchronize file cache data in the main storage device with the secondary storage device; and 
 a stopping unit configured to stop the synchronizing process during power saving mode. 
 
     
     
       5. The information processing apparatus according to  claim 1 , further comprising;
 a reporting unit configured to report an error if a user program tries to access the secondary storage device in power saving mode. 
 
     
     
       6. A method of processing information on an information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus including a main storage device and being connectable to a secondary storage device, the method comprising:
 associating a file system in the main storage device with a file system in the secondary storage device in response to start-up of the information processing apparatus or connection of the secondary storage device to the information processing apparatus; 
 turning the power of the secondary storage device off in transition to a power saving mode; 
 storing the associated file system of the secondary storage device, in the main storage device; and 
 releasing an allocated storage area of the main storage device that stores the associated file system of the secondary storage device after the storing stores the associated file system of the secondary storage device. 
 
     
     
       7. The method of  claim 6 , further comprising:
 allocating the storage area to store the associated file system of the secondary storage device in the main storage device; and 
 writing the stored file system of the secondary storage device to the allocated storage area. 
 
     
     
       8. A non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a program that, when executed by a computer, causes the computer to implement a method of processing information using an information processing apparatus, the information processing apparatus including a main storage device and being connectable to a secondary storage device and the method comprising:
 associating a file system in the main storage device with a file system in the secondary storage device in response to start-up of the information processing apparatus or connection of the secondary storage device to the information processing apparatus; 
 turning the power of the secondary storage device off in transition to a power saving mode; 
 storing the associated file system of the secondary storage device, in the main storage device; and 
 releasing an allocated storage area of the main storage device that stores the associated file system of the secondary storage device after the storing stores the associated file system of the secondary storage device. 
 
     
     
       9. The non-transitory computer-readable storage medium of  claim 8 , wherein the method further comprises:
 allocating the storage area to store the associated file system of the secondary storage device in the main storage device; and 
 writing the stored file system of the secondary storage device to the allocated storage area.